Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Technivorm Moccamaster (KBGT 741)

Technivorm Moccamaster (KBGT 741) Review

Coffee Makers

Product Grade
Report Card Grade
0 Reviews
Best Feature:
Brews within optimal temperature/time; great warranty
Worst Feature:
Expensive and not programmable
Best Uses:
High-quality brewer for true coffee connoisseurs
Pricing:
$339.00
Manufacturer:

Where to Buy

Store Name
Price
$319.00
$319.00
$349.00

Overview

The Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT 741 was the Overall Award Winner of our coffee maker tests. It is the most expensive brewer we tested, but we thought it was worthy of the price. In our blind coffee taste test, it outscored the competition in overall coffee taste and flavor, and we would highly recommend it for the discerning coffee drinkers who don't mind a machine that requires manual operation. It also comes with an excellent warranty.

The Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT 741 is a high quality automatic coffee maker that is handmade in Holland.
The Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT 741 is a high quality automatic coffee maker that is handmade in Holland.
Credit: Mary Griffin
You can compare the Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Maker to other coffee makers in the Coffee Maker Review

Photos

Unpacking the Technivorm Moccamaster!
The Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT 741 is a high quality automatic coffee maker that is handmade in Holland.
The Moccamaster KBGT 741 achieves the ideal brewing temperature (195-205°) for coffee extraction throughout the brew cycle.
The brew-through lid with destratification tube mixes the coffee automatically while brewing and helps maintain optimal holding temperature and coffee quality.
The brew basket has three manual settings allowing you to control water flow.
The white button at the brewer's base needs to be completely pushed in by the thermal carafe in order for the Moccamaster KBGT 741 to work.
The Moccamaster KBGT 741 is not programmable and needs to be shut off manually.
The Moccamaster features a cone shape brew basket and utilizes paper filters.
The Moccamaster has several parts to assemble before brewing. This access comes in handy for cleaning.
Getting ready to try some coffee!
About to assemble the Moccamaster!
The Technivorm features a metal spray head.
The water tank features clear measurement markings.

 
This Product
Editor's Choice Winner
Overall Score
94%
93%
93%
Our Awards
Date Reviewed
July 2016
July 2016
July 2016
Pros
Coffee brewed at optimal time/temperature; SCAA certified; excellent warranty; brew-through lid and internal mixing tube
Coffee brewed at optimal time/temperature; SCAA certified; programmable; includes pre-infusion step; brew-through lid has internal mixing tube
Coffee brewed at optimal time/temperature; SCAA certified; pre-infusion mode; large showerhead
Cons
Very expensive; not programmable; no auto-off
Expensive
Expensive; not programmable; no brew stop; pour lid needs to be put on
Brewing Quality (30%)
Taste Test Results (35%)
Construction and Design Quality (20%)
Ease of Setup/Cleanup (15%)
Bonus Points - Extra Features (+10)
Type
Automatic Drip
Drip and Pour Over Technology
Automatic Drip
Brewing Capacity
40 oz
45 oz
40 oz
Price (MSRP)
$340
$199.99
$189.99
Warranty
5-year Limited
2-year Limited
2-year Limited
Product Width
12.8"
14.2"
6.8"
Product Depth
6.8"
6.7"
12.4"
Product Height
15.3"
15.2"
12.2"
SCAA Certified
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tested Brew Temperature
198°F
198°F
199°F
Tested Brew Time Until Empty Water Tank
5 minutes 30 seconds
7 minutes and 45 seconds
5 minutes and 15 seconds
Carafe Temperature After Brewing
177°F
177°F
178°F
Carafe Temperature After 1 Hour
163°F
167°F
166°F
Filter Design
Recommends using a #4 disposable, cone-shaped filter
Recommends using a #4 disposable, cone-shaped filter
Uses 8-12 cup flat bottomed disposable filters
Carafe Style
Thermal
Thermal
Thermal
Programmable
No
Yes
No
Automatic Brew Strength Settings
No
No
No
Automatic Off
No
Yes
Yes
Brew Stop
Yes
Yes
No
Built-In Water Filter
No
No
No
Dishwasher Safe
No
No
Yes (upper rack)

Product Background

Handmade in Holland, the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT 741 is an automatic drip coffee maker for discerning coffee drinkers. Since the Moccamasters were first introduced in 1964, the original design by the company's owner, Gerard Clement-Smit, has remained relatively unchanged. Moccamaster is committed to high quality machines, and each Technivorm brewer is individually tested in a live situation for quality assurance prior to leaving the factory. This coffee maker is one of a select few to satisfy the rigorous brewing standards required for certification by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). It has a 40oz clear water tank with measurement markings, copper heating element, a metal spray head, and a manual brew stop. It features a thermal carafe with brew-through lid and internal mixing tube to help maintain the flavor, character, and temperature of your coffee.

The Moccamaster KBGT 741 features manual, one touch operation.
The Moccamaster KBGT 741 features manual, one touch operation.
Credit: Mary Griffin

ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review


Specifications

Performance Comparison

Brewing Quality

The KGBT 741 is classified as an automatic drip coffee maker. It can make up to 8 cups of coffee (40 oz). We timed the brew cycle, and the water reservoir was empty after 5 minutes and 30 seconds, and the brew basket was fully drained 3 minutes later. In terms of technology, the Moccamaster features a powerful copper heating device that boils water up through the reservoir and out a metal lined spray arm that maintains optimal water temperature throughout the brew cycle and allows for an even dispersion of water over the coffee grounds. We verified the brew temperature during our tests, and recorded 198°F mid-cycle. The double walled, stainless steel carafe features a brew-through lid that has a destratification tube. This design deposits the coffee into the bottom of the carafe, and the bottom-up flow creates a natural mixing action. After brewing, the coffee temperature was 177°F, and after one hour, it was 163°F. Compared to the other thermal carafes in our test, the temperature retention of this carafe was about average.

The Moccamaster KBGT 741 achieves the ideal brewing temperature (195-205°) for coffee extraction throughout the brew cycle.
The Moccamaster KBGT 741 achieves the ideal brewing temperature (195-205°) for coffee extraction throughout the brew cycle.
Credit: Mary Griffin
Taste Test Results

In a blind taste test that included 31 coffee drinkers, the Technivorm Moccamaster outperformed the nine other machines we tested. It came in first overall. Samples of black coffee from each machine were rated on overall taste, flavor, body, acidity, and color. The Moccamaster won in the overall taste and flavor categories. If you want the very best tasting coffee we could find, the Moccamaster will deliver. To learn more about how we tested the Moccamaster against other coffee makers, please read our How We Test section.

Getting ready to try some coffee!
Getting ready to try some coffee!
Credit: Mary Griffin
Design Quality

The KGBT 741 is constructed with high quality materials, including a copper heating element. We like that you can assemble and disassemble the components easily, and we feel that the carafe is as solid and well thought-out as the rest of the machine. That being said, it does take a minute to get used to pouring from the carafe, and it can be difficult to fill more narrow mugs and cups.

The brew-through lid with destratification tube mixes the coffee automatically while brewing and helps maintain optimal holding temperature and coffee quality.
The brew-through lid with destratification tube mixes the coffee automatically while brewing and helps maintain optimal holding temperature and coffee quality.
Credit: Mary Griffin
Ease of Set Up and Clean Up

The Technivorm Moccamaster features several parts that need to be assembled before brewing can begin, but once assembled, it is a one-touch brewing process using the illuminated on/off switch. The water tank is easily accessed with clear refill markings. Moccamaster recommends using oxygen whitened #4 paper filters. Please note that the brewing process will not begin (or will stop automatically) if the thermal carafe is not placed against the brew sensor switch at the base of the brewer. While there is some assembly required, removable components mean that this brewer is very easy to keep clean.

The Moccamaster has several parts to assemble before brewing. This access comes in handy for disassembly and cleaning.
The Moccamaster has several parts to assemble before brewing. This access comes in handy for disassembly and cleaning.
Credit: Mary Griffin
Bonus Features

The Moccamaster is not programmable, so you will have to operate this coffee maker manually. While there are no automatic brew strength settings, the filter stop allows for manual manipulation of coffee strength. In addition to the brew-through lid, the carafe also comes with a convenient, spill-proof travel lid.

The Moccamaster has a brew basket with three manual settings allowing you to control water flow.
The Moccamaster has a brew basket with three manual settings allowing you to control water flow.
Credit: Mary Griffin
Best Uses

The Moccamaster brews high quality coffee at the optimal temperature. This machine is excellent for daily use in households that really care about their coffee and can afford the expense. It should last a long time and produce consistent, excellent results.

Value

You can purchase the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT 741 online for about $339. Although this is the most expensive coffee maker that we tested, with the 5-year limited warranty, we think it is an excellent value. It's well made and should make quality coffee for a long time.

Conclusion

We were extremely happy with the balance, taste, and flavor of the coffee the Technivorm Moccamaster produced. It was our Overall Award Winner because it won our taste test, was easy to use, and was constructed with high quality materials. Although it is the most expensive machine we tested, the 5-year warranty indicates the confidence Technivorm has in the longevity of the product and its cost performance. For the coffee drinker who wants to wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee however, the lack of a programmable timer is a drawback. With that said, we found this to be an excellent machine with a stellar reputation. If you are looking to invest in your coffee making future, we think this would be the best choice. If you are looking to spend a little less, please check out our Editor's Choice and Best Buy Award winners.

As a side note, we found Technivorm's customer service to be excellent. One of our editors owns a Moccamaster that she purchased 4 years ago. She recently needed a replacement brew basket. The new item was sent to her for free, in a timely manner, with no questions asked. We think this speaks to both the value of the coffee brewer and the excellent reputation of the company.

Alternatives

OXO On Barista Brain

  • $200
  • SCAA Certified Home Brewer
  • Programmable

Bonavita BV1900TS

  • $190
  • Editor's Choice Award Winner
  • SCAA Certified Home Brewer
  • Manual Operation

KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Maker KCM0801

  • $170
  • SCAA Certified Home Brewer
  • Glass Carafe and Warming Plate System
We suggest that you check out our Buying Advice for Coffee Makers to get an idea for what machine will best suit your needs.

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